First of five turbines in operation at Uganda's Bujagali hydropower plant

KAMPALA, Uganda 2/8/12 (PennWell) -- Uganda's prime minister has commissioned the first part of the 250-MW Bujagali hydroelectric power plant, Bloomberg reports.

The project, on the Victoria Nile River, is expected to be complete in July. So far, one of the facility's five 50-MW turbines has been activated, according to Uganda Electricity Generation Company managing director Simon D'Ujanga.

Construction of the project began in August 2007, though bids for work on the project have been solicited as recently as January 2012. The project is sponsored by Industrial Promotion Services Limited and SG Bujagali Holdings LTD.